Amastra spirizona is a species of land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the Amastridae family. [1]

Amastra spirizona
Shell of Amastra spirizona (paralectotype at MNHN, Paris)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Heterobranchia
Order: Stylommatophora
Family: Amastridae
Genus: Amastra
Species:
A. spirizona
Binomial name
Amastra spirizona
Quoy & Gaimard, 1825
Synonyms
  • Achatinella acuta W.J. Swainson
  • Helix spirizona Quoy & Gaimard, 1825

Subspecies edit

  • Amastra spirizona chlorotica (L. Pfeiffer, 1856)
  • Amastra spirizona nigrolabris E.A. Smith, 1873
  • Amastra spirizona rudis L. Pfeiffer, 1855

Description edit

The length of the shell of Amastra spirizona attains 18 mm.[3] The shell is conical in shape, opaque, and sculptured with fine ridges.[4] Within the shell is a small body with elongated eyes and a rough outer texture.[5]

Distribution and Habitat edit

Amastra spirizona is endemic to Hawaii.[2] It can be found in trees, specifically ekaha ferns (Asplenium nidus) and ōpuhe leaves (Touchardia sandwicensis) in the Waianae mountain range on the island of Oahu.[6]

Conservation Status edit

Amastra spirizona has been collected by researchers from their original range in the Waianae mountains. Precisely thirty snails were captured to stop the population from further declining in 2015.[5] This species is preyed on by animals, which includes rats, cannibal snails, and chameleons, but is not considered federally or state endangered.[6] The Snail Extinction Prevention Program (SEPP) released around 1200 snails, including the amastra spirizona, out into a predator-free enclosure that they keep well-maintained.[7]

References edit

  1. ^ Worldwide Mollusc Species Data Base: Amastra spirozona
  2. ^ a b Cowie, R.H. (1996). "Amastra spirizona". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1996: e.T988A13100768. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T988A13100768.en. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  3. ^ Worldwide Mollusc Species Data Base: Amastra spirozona
  4. ^ "Amastra spirizona (Ferussac 1824) - Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  5. ^ a b Tani, Carlyn L. (2017-07-12). "A Snail's Tale: Can Rare Hawaiian Land Snails Be Saved From Extinction?". Honolulu Magazine. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  6. ^ a b "Amastra". Division of Forestry and Wildlife: Native Ecosystems Protection & Management. 2020-12-29. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  7. ^ Sischo, David R. (March 28, 2020). "The Newsletter of the IUCN/SSC Mollusc Specialist Group" (PDF).